Court Backs Blake Lively: Justin Baldoni's Lawsuit Against Her Dismissed
Lawsuit filed by Justin Baldoni against Blake Lively is thrown out by the court.
After a heated legal battle, a New York court has thrown out actor Justin Baldoni's defamation lawsuit against Blake Lively and her husband Ryan Reynolds. The judge, Lewis Liman, made the decision based on the lack of sufficient evidence provided by Baldoni.
Baldoni accused Lively of sexual harassment and sued for a staggering $400 million in damages. However, Judge Liman determined that Lively's statements were protected by law and therefore not actionable. The judge further dismissed allegations of blackmail, leaving only the possibility for Baldoni to refile an amended complaint focusing on "unjustified contract interference."
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This development is a victory for Lively, according to her lawyers. They plan to seek reimbursement for legal fees and potential damages, including punitive damages, against Baldoni and other parties involved.
Lively initially filed a lawsuit against Baldoni in December 2024, accusing him of sexual harassment and retaliation on the set of the film "Just Once More." She claimed that Baldoni and his production company, Wayfarer Studios, launched a smear campaign against her after her complaint.
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Baldoni also sued the "New York Times" for reporting on the case. However, the court found no basis for a defamation lawsuit, as the newspaper's reporting was protected by the "Fair Report Privilege." This legal shield allows media to report on ongoing or pending legal proceedings without facing liability for potential harm to reputation.
The Battle Continues
While Baldoni's claims against Lively have been dismissed, Lively's lawsuits against Baldoni remain. Baldoni has until June 23 to refile certain dismissed claims, offering him a chance to rethink his legal approach. Lively's legal team has already indicated their intention to pursue attorneys' fees, treble damages, and punitive damages against Baldoni and his co-defendants.
This unexpected legal twist adds another chapter to the ongoing saga between Baldoni and Lively.
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Sources: ntv.de, lme/spot
Enrichment Data:
- Legal Perspective: The legal dispute between Justin Baldoni and Blake Lively has seen a significant shift with the court's decision to dismiss Baldoni's lawsuit. The ruling was based on the court's finding that the New York Times' article about the case was fair, and there was no intent to favor Lively's version of events. [2][3]
- Advocacy Support: Lively has gained support from advocacy groups who believe Baldoni's lawsuit threatens legal protections for individuals reporting sexual harassment and misconduct. These groups have filed amicus briefs to support Lively's efforts to dismiss Baldoni's defamation claims. [4]
The Commission has also been involved in the preparation of the draft directive focusing on protecting individuals who come forward with claims of sexual harassment, like Blake Lively, from retaliation. Meanwhile, the entertainment sector, including the ongoing legal battles between Lively and Baldoni, continues to be a platform for general-news reporting, with crime-and-justice aspects becoming increasingly prominent.
